Sixers Recall Patton, Smith’s G-League Debut Imminent

Justin Patton has been recalled by the Sixers ahead of Thursday’s game while Zhaire Smith is inching closer to his pro debut.

The Sixers are dealing with some significant injuries, most notably to their big men. Joel Embiid is set to miss his fourth straight game due to knee tendinitis. In addition, Boban Marjanovic is going to miss the next 5-7 days with a right knee sprain and bone bruise.

Reinforcements are on the way, though. The Sixers officially announced on Wednesday that Justin Patton will join the team in Oklahoma City for Thursday’s game.

The team has recalled Justin Patton from @blue_coats. He will join the team in Oklahoma City in advance of Thursday’s game.

Patton, 21, was acquired by the Sixers from Minnesota as part of the Jimmy Butler trade in November. At the time, he was rehabbing from foot surgery, but has recently been playing for the Blue Coats.

In seven games with the Sixers’ G-League club, Patton is posting averages of 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.

There is also some promising injury news out of Sixers camp. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Zhaire Smith is going to make his pro debut for the Blue Coats on Friday night on the road. If all goes well, Smith would make his home debut in Wilmington on Monday, March 4.

The Sixers traded Mikal Bridges for Smith and Miami’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick on draft night. Smith suffered a Jones fracture during an offseason camp and dealt with a setback caused by a bad allergic reaction to sesame.

In 37 games last season for Texas Tech, Smith averaged 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. He shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 45 percent from beyond the arc.

Brandon Apter

Brandon Apter writes about the Sixers and Phillies for 97.3 ESPN and Philly Front Office. A Philadelphia native, Brandon graduated from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania in 2009. After working in Minor League Baseball for nine seasons, Brandon currently does Marketing & Social Media for Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

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